Nozomi

Sunday, October 08, 2023
Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
     Went to Tokyo terminal for bullet train tickets.  Penn station is minuscule in comparison.  Over-crowded with restaurants, stores and hurried passengers. The. Japanese chatter creates a loud vibration.  Monday morning we shuffle in the pouring rain, our Nozomi, the fastest bullet train departs 9:13 Punctuality reigns supreme here!
     Enroute we search for a glimpse of Mt.Fuji, its outline appears but the train speed negates a photo.  2hrs.12 minutes , we arrive at Kyoto station. It is sleek, modern and massive. Mobbed too as it is Sports Day, a national holiday. After dropping our luggage off at our hotel , we head to our first destination.  Fushim-Inari , it is an iconic shrine, thousands of orange red tori gates welcome us.  We deviate toward “ a secret path” I read about.  It shelters a small set of gates in a bamboo forest, we its solitary guests.  We head back to the first platform shrine and encounter geisha and worshippers praying and loads of tourists.  We head to Sanjusangendo.  There we come face to face with 1,000 nearly identical statues of Kannon, the goddess of compassion, all glittering back at us in the dark.  
     We’ve completed only 2 of the 5 sights I’d planned today. It takes much longer than research had listed. Our return is on an over-capacity bus….I will have to shrink my list of must-see sights. Remnants of Jet lag demand an early ending.
Answer- map was from driver- location unknown, i finally had to take a photo of Charles and he found us!!!He was Chinese and didn’t speak English.
Q?How many hands did each goddess possess.
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Comments

Dawn
2023-10-10

Your voyage sounds very different than other trips so enjoy all of the different sights and culture Japan has to offer. Say hello to Charles!

Pam
2023-10-10

Sounds amazing! Enjoy say hi to Charles.

Annie
2023-10-10

This will be another outstanding adventure..... thanks for taking us with you! Hugs to Charles

Kathi
2023-10-10

Enjoy all Japan has to offer! Much love to you and Charles.❤️

Judy s
2023-10-10

Oh boy. We remember too vividly all your flight anxiety It seems this is just travel today! Also remember that Japan is physically a small country and the natives all hoard together for all public transportation. You are in one of our favorite Japan destinations, quite beautiful gardens and temples. Enjoy

What an amazing trip. Enjoy!
2023-10-10

What an amazing trip… enjoy!!

Betsy
2023-10-10

Wow! Love your detailed descriptions-so vivid! You are a trooper! Enjoy!

Michele
2023-10-10

Outstanding! Never stop traveling! We look forward to your posts and are with you vicariously all the way. Any future plans for Antarctica? Lol

Susan
2023-10-10

How adventuresome you both are. Show me some animals, birds, and lots of plants. Having the HGC over Sat. for party. Sorry you are going to miss it. Take lots of pictures. I'll be looking forward to them. Be careful and stay well! See you when you get to Hollywood. HAPPY TRAILS!

Anthony
2023-10-10

You and Charles-san look very happy and comfortable in the Japanese environment! Perhaps an island time share?

Chuck
2023-10-11

Thanks for sharing your incredible trip!

Stephen
2023-10-13

I love that train. I heard it’s so smooth it doesn’t feel like you’re moving. At least you got some sights done. 4 Hands

2025-02-12

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