It's HOT in Japan

I'm sure those of you in the South and the Northeast think it has been hot there.....but it was unbelievably hot the entire time I was off the ship and being a tourist in Japan. We finally saw land again after a long 12 days from Alaska to Hakedote, Japan. We quickly visited 3 town in the northern islands before heading to Yokohama, Japan. The Odyssey stayed in port for a couple of days but 3 of us disembarked and headed into a hotel in Tokyo. We dropped off our suitcases and then headed to the nearest airport to pick up our travelling companions.

Shannon's friend, Ginny, was flying in from California, Linda's friend, Marcia, came from California too, and my sister, Kay from Houston, came back. They all arrived within an hour of each other and then we began our adventure. We spent 4 nights in Tokyo, 5 nights in Kyoto, and 3 nights in Osaka. We saw Temples, Imperial Palaces, beautiful gardens, amazing displays at the TeamLabs Borderless exhibit, lots of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and 2 great Museums.

We went on a food tour the 2nd night so that we would know, hopefully, what we were eating over the next 2 weeks. We only scheduled one other tour because we wanted to do a lot of exploring on our own. Sometimes there was two of us doing their "thing" while others went elsewhere. We loved going shopping in the huge Malls that had 2-3 basement levels filled with nothing but freshly cooked food. And it was beautiful, as well as tasting great. I bought myself a small speaker that I can take out onto my balcony and listen to music. I realized that at home I always had Pandora or some music playing over my TV. On the ship, I had nothing and I missed it. Japan is an amazing country in the way they manage everything. Technology is everywhere, even in the smallest way. The people are quiet, polite, and very friendly. Needless to say, they were fascinated that several of us were living on a ship going around the world. In one day we walked 6.7 miles (I've forgotten how many steps that was but I felt everyone of them). And every day it the temperature was in the high 90's with 70% humidity. Finding a beer became a high priority.

The night time tour in Tokyo made us feel like we were in Las Vegas with all the lights and Neon Flashing displays (the one with with the cat was fun. See picture later). And evidently there is a new Godzilla movie out because everyone had to stop and take a picture of the huge Godzilla rising above the skyscraper. I would be remise if I didn't mention the Train Systems all over Japan. I'm sure if we had more time we could figure it out, BUT not this trip. In Tokyo we specifically chose a hotel that was close to a Train Station so that we could easily zip around to the different sites we wanted to visit. Best laid plans... The 1st day in Tokyo we were positive we knew where we were going. That only took us about 30 minutes to find the right train, down on the 3rd level. Then when we returned, we were so proud that we found our way back to the right station. BUT, we got lost in the station and it was 45 minutes to find the right exit door. Only it wasn't the right door and it was pouring down rain. The first time Kay and I got lost, I called a Uber to get back to the hotel. Cost us a whopping $3.37. After that we pretty much stuck to GO taxi's or Uber since there was 6 of us.

There is a luggage service all over Japan that will take care of our suitcases. We handed the Tokyo hotel desk clerk our suitcases the night before we were checking out. Kept one change of clothes and our toothbrush for the next day. Then for $15 our luggage would be delivered to our hotel in Kyota by 2:00 the next day. No dragging big suitcases thru the train terminal, down 2-3 escalators and then jumping onto the train. We took the Bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and that was really nice. There is a Bullet train running every 6 minutes. You buy a ticket for a specific time, get an assigned seat, and you better be ready to jump on as soon as the doors open. They were never crowded up in 1st Class so we were comfortable and cool. Leather reclining seats with a foot rest, and a lady walking thru every 20 minutes or so selling snacks & drinks. We felt very elegant and not sweaty. The trains and the stations are absolutely immaculate. There are very few trashcans around because the people know that their trash is their responsibility to take it with them or dispose of it properly. We laughed because there were trash receptacles call Pet Cans. We let our imagination run wild with what they were doing with their Pets, but it turned out that the Water Bottles are called Pet Cans.

Kyoto is a smaller, quieter, less high-rise building city. We liked it. The 1st thing that threw us off was that the front door to the hotel was on the 2nd floor off the street. And the only escalator was coming down not going up. But there was a sign that said, come up the stairs to front desk and we will reverse the escalator for you. And it was barely wide enuf for one person with your suitcase on the step behind you. And, of course, the rooms were about the same size. Two twin beds pushed together and room for one open suitcase. Rooms were tiny but the bathrooms were nice with warm toilet seats with bidets. And 1-ply toilet paper. Took us a while to figure out how to work the bidet (way too many options) and more time needed to decide if we wanted to. After a week of Japanese noodles, rice, tempura, miso soup, and other strange creations, and we had absolutely 2 wonderful dinners at Samurai Burger. AWESOME.

Then we were off to Osaka and the 2025 Worlds Fair. We all had concerns about the reported long lines and the continuing heat wave. This time we rented a big van that could take us (and our 6+ suitcases) the 30 minute drive to our next hotel. Osaka did not have the same building height restrictions that Kyoto did, so it was much more cosmopolitan. The hotel lobby was on the 9th floor and our room was on the 27th. The floors below the 9th were a parking garage and a shopping mall. Grocery store, electronics, clothing, tons of restaurants and bars. But the restaurants didn't open until 10, so breakfast was Burger King or walk a block or two in search of an egg. BK was not my 1st choice, but that was what I did. We all agreed that we would buy the Fair Nighttime ticket first and see how we liked the Fair before buying a Day ticket for the next day. Good decision. We got there about 6pm and agreed to meet back at the entrance gate about 8:30 and see how we were doing. By 8:00 we were all ready to get out of there. All Pavilions had long lines, never even made it into a Country building or exhibit due to the lines. People had even paid to get into some of the popular pavilions and would still be in a line for over an hour. Just walking around was a challenge and we only got around 1/4 of the whole thing. Glad we didn't spend too much money to get in. We did pick the right time to get there and left before the end of the fireworks show so there was no line to get in or to get a taxi back to the hotel. Almost everyone was extremely disappointed in the Fair.

Our last night in Osaka we went to an area called Dotonburi which was fun. It is right on the river and the night lights are really pretty. Kay and I were hoping to get one of the boat rides (reminded me of the San Antonio, TX River Walk) but it was so hot when we got there that the ride didn't look very appealing, even with the mister on the boat. It was time for a cold beer, after trying Oyster balls. And then on to the best meal ever. Kobe Beef. We actually stumbled onto a restaurant that had received awards for their Kobe Beef. Small restaurant with only 2 other people there. But the waitress and the maybe, owner/manager, were super and we all had a great time. I ordered the small Kobe Beef (4 oz) steak which came with 4 pieces of tempura veggies, and a small salad. $165 but it was absolutely delicious and so very very tender. A great final night of our vacation. The next morning, Kay, Ginny and Marcia got a van to the airport to fly away. Linda, Shannon and I took our suitcases and headed to the Bullet Train station. 1.5 hour train ride and an hour taxi to the Odyssey.. We were Home Ship Home. in Hiroshima.

I took a Kazillion pictures and I don't remember the names of the castles, palaces, and temples nor the names of the food we ate. So here is a collection of pictures of our fun trip to Japan. Our schedule from here has gotten a bit crazy. Our latest itinerary was to go from Japan to China for 10 days and then to Taiwan, Korea. and points south. However, China has a law that says "no cruise ships over 30 ears old can visit". Opps, China is off the plan. So we are now in Nagasaki, Japan, heading to JeJu, S. Korea, then a couple of small islands in Japan, then Taiwan, and then the Philippines. So, stay tuned. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

FUN CRAZY PICTURES

1. Coffee shop directly across from a Temple 2. Ice cream cone covered in Gold?? Didn't try it. 3. Went on a tour & was supposed to see lots of monkeys. Saw 3. 4 & 5. Huge gorilla rising over the Skyscrapper. New Movie? 6. Another Casino that wasn't a casino. Casinos are illegal. But Pachino (weird machine but thousands of them). You win a toy. 7. Above Cherry, it reads "Sexual Harassment Spa" Below it reads "All Private-Room Version" . I don't even want to know what goes on there. These last 4 were all in downtown Tokyo.

FOR THE CAT LOVERS. There were literally thousands of people standing around this main intersection waiting for this video cat to poke its head out, look around, come out some more, hit the toys down, and then go away. They waited every 15 minutes for it to do it again!

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TEMPLES & IMPERIAL PALACE

Last two pictures - You make a donation. Then you pick up the tall silver shaker on the table. Shake to mix up the sticks inside, while praying for what you want /fortune/resolution to be. Turn shaker upside down and a stick falls out. It has a number on it. Put the stick back in shaker. You go to the drawer in front that has your number on it. There is your Fortune or resolution. If you don't like your Fortune, you may go outside and tear off the bottom piece of the paper, then stick it on the wall of bad JUJU/Fortunes. The priests will burn them all overnight and then hopefully, your fortune will be better tomorrow.

TEAMLABS BORDERLESS - Popular, immersive museum known for its colorful, futuristic digital art installations. It was weird, entertaining, confusing, scary, and OK.

GARDENS - I thought Gardens meant flowers. Wrong Again. Gardens are beautiful trees, grass, ponds lakes,  all arranged beautifully as only the Japanese can do.

AND OF COURSE THERE WAS FOOD - I SELECTED 21 PICTURES TO POST AND PARED IT DOWN TO THESE. FOOD WAS FANTASTIC. The 1st five pictures are of the food prepared in the Tokyo Mall food market which was huge. The next two are from the open market food stalls in Kyota, The next 2 are Octopus Balls - battered with bits of chopped octopus, rolled, deep fried and served with a bit of salad. Next is an ice cream pancake. Really yummy, Dessert. And lastly, our Samurai Burgers, made just the way we like them. I had mine with chili and cheese. They even had vanilla shakes.

2025 JAPAN WORLD FAIR IN OSAKA

DOTONBURI

AND KOBE BEEF

ALL US GIRLS

The first 3 pictures are of us in a Tea House in a Garden ordering and enjoying Shave Ice. Different than Shaved Ice. Yummy Kay and I shared the Strawberry one. & a coke float.

And that is all there is for now. Sorry it this was crazy long but it was an amazingly full two weeks.