JAPAN APRIL 2010 SAKURA CHERRY BLOSSOMS TRIP - PART I
Greetings friends, clients and Asia colleagues!
The Lynch Family (Randy, Bev & Zennia) has returned from our fourth April sakura/cherry blossoms trip. We were excited to travel with Zen's special guest on this trip, her Parker third grade classmate, Zuri. Zen & Zuri were quite the dynamic travel duo!
Starting in Tokyo, we further explored Kyoto, Koyasan and then on Kanazawa. Similar to past trips we criss-crossed between old and new Japan...The orderly balanced Shinto/Buddhist centered culture of traditional Japan in contrast to its futuristic technology-driven subculture and most unique aesthetics. Traveling within the context of a high-touch, private touring experience, we surveyed additional luxury ryokans and interesting cultural experiences. (think private tea ceremony & samurai sword lesson!) We have decided to share with you our whirlwind 8-day tour in two separate newsletters. Part 1 including "Zen's Journal" follows - please enjoy!
TOKYO (IMPERIAL - MEIJI - HARAJUKU - "MAID CAFE")
On past Tokyo trips we have stayed at the Peninsula, Four Seasons, the Mandarin and Hotel Seiyo Ginza - all outstanding though we much prefer the Peninsula's location across from Hibiya Park and the Imperial grounds. For this trip we decided to try the venerable 5 star Imperial Hotel. Located on the opposite side of Hibiya Park from the Peninsula, the service here was excellent. However, being a large/business/convention hotel (900 rooms!), the scale and size of the Imperial did not really fit our tastes. Bev, Zen, Zuri and I agree that we thoroughly enjoyed or Easter brunch at the Imperial's 11th floor buffet restaurant - amazing food and great service! The buffet offered a traditional "American" breakfast section as well as a "Japanese" breakfast area. The contrast in the two food sections I felt was an appropriate metaphor for Japanese healthy living lifestyle vs the high-fat American diet.
Japanese Buffet: salmon, carrots, mixed cabbage, pickled radish, boiled spinach, pickled nozawana rice
American Buffet: friend bacon, french toast, pancakes, fried potatoes, sausage
FYI Japan remains near the very top for longevity rates in the world while the U.S. ranks 42nd!
MEIJI SHRINE & HARAJUKU
Following our annual pilgrimage to Meiji Shrine we headed to nearby Harajuku and the trendy teenage mecca of Takeshita Street. Despite the overflowing crowds, Zen and Zuri were enthralled with the countless shops selling everything a young global teen would desire - clothing, accessories, videos, food!
SHINKANSEN (BULLET) F CLASS N700 "GREEN" CAR TOKYO/KYOTO
We never tire of riding the Shinkansen (Bullet) N700 F Class "Green" Cars - fastidiously clean, ultra-comfortable seating, and SPEED. These duck-billed bullet trains are most impressive with innovative "tilting" technology that allows the train to tilt one degree to maintain high speeds, even on turns. Another bonus - these trains are QUIET and SMOOTH.
KYOTO (PRIVATE TEA CEREMONY AT TEA MASTER MS. SUZUKI'S HOME)
Although this sounds ponderously taxing, a private tea ceremony is most interesting with the hour or so going by very quickly! Believed to be introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the late 12th century, powdered "matcha" green tea is considered the highest quality tea in all of Japan.
Over a dozen steps, including the respectful exchange of greetings, eating the tea sweets, mixing the green powder tea and water with the bamboo whisk, et. al. Following the careful instruction of the tea master, Ms. Suzuki, Zen and Zuri soon became spellbound with the simplicity and beauty of the preparing, serving and drinking the tea. In effect, the tea ceremony is a stylized manifestation of Japan's unique wabi-sabi aesthetic, reflecting a deep-rooted Japanese cultural tradition.
HOSHINOYA RYOKAN (OUTSIDE KYOTO)
Sorry, Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure, we feel Hoshinoya is not quite ready to be placed on our "Favorites" list.
Although advertised as Hoshinoya Kyoto, this luxury East-West fusion ryokan is actually located in Arashiyama, an approx. 45 minute drive from central Kyoto. With 25 guest rooms set alongside the clean, tranquil Hozu River, we found the setting here quite beautiful and picturesque. Hoshinoya is a couples retreat; definitely not a family, kids-friendly environment with few activities. Hoshinoya is trying to combine an "Aman" like sense of exclusive luxury with the aesthetic/culture of a traditional Japanese ryokan. Based on its distance from Kyoto, with all of its rich cultural/culinary options, we feel there are more compelling alternatives for those making a 3-4 day trip to Kyoto: Tawaraya or Hiiragiya ryokan or the sleek minimalist Hyatt Regency Kyoto. I feel the addition of full-service spa activities would definitely enhance the desirability of staying at Hoshinoya - we will keep you posted!
Part II of our Japan trip featuring Koyasan, more of Kyoto and Kanazawa coming soon...including the amazing Kayo-tei ryokan.
Many thanks & Safe Travels! - Now a few words from Zen...
Randy
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April Sakura/Cherry Blossoms
Zen & Zuri at Meiji
Takeshita Street
N700 Bullet Train
Hoshinoya Ryokan
Tawaraya Ryokan
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