Trip Report *COMPLETED* I've climbed the mountain, I've crossed the river, and I'm almost there!

Introduction

We've only been back from Japan since Saturday night but I am just itching to get started on this report! We had an absolutely AMAZING trip and I'm not ready to let it go, and writing my TR is one way for me to delay the inevitable return back to "the real world." This was the longest vacation I've ever taken, and like any long trip-or any new experience, for that matter-there were ups and downs, good moments and not-so-good moments. There were mistakes, mishaps, mountains, and monkeys. Yes, monkeys! There were surprises and there was DRAMMA!* There were things we will do differently next time we visit Japan, and believe me, we knew less than halfway through the trip that there WILL be a next time someday!

In case you missed the PTR, here it is: Bee's Big Birthday! There you can read about the cast, the general plans, and the reasons for planning this particular trip.

Now about the title: It's a reference to this song from The Princess and the Frog:

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I have been kind of obsessed with this song lately and I found myself singing it in my head repeatedly during the trip. You'll see why soon!

So, if you're ready for a journey halfway around the world, thousands of photos, and Double Disney bookends, keep reading!

EDIT: The Tokyo Disney stuff starts here.

*I've mentioned it in previous TRs, but I like to spell "dramma" the Italian way because I'm an opera singer and what's more DRAMMAtic than Italian opera?? So please don't think I'm an idiot (for that reason anyway )!

 

[PacNWTigger]

Simply stunning pics @bee !! BEE-U-TIFUL!!!!

 

[Swissmiss]

I’ve been really enjoying the articles and videos you’ve added to your TR and noticed that the author of the article on how to pray at a shrine should probably read the article about the difference between a shrine and a temple (or maybe she just need to proofread her own article )

 

[bee]

This is a good trip report

Thank you!

Simply stunning pics @bee !! BEE-U-TIFUL!!!!

Thank you!

I’ve been really enjoying the articles and videos you’ve added to your TR and noticed that the author of the article on how to pray at a shrine should probably read the article about the difference between a shrine and a temple (or maybe she just need to proofread her own article )

Haha, good catch! I add them because I could try to explain things...but I know I wouldn't do a very good job! Better to let the experts (or maybe less than experts) chime in!

 

[NessNewt]

I’m sure I COULD HAVE if I really needed to, but luckily for me I didn’t need to! They were all pretty nice/clean like that

It'squite an experience, but not one I'd go out of my way to experience again, ha ha ha!

 

[NessNewt]

Day 6, cont.

After a short walk we arrived at the Tenriyuji Temple and Garden. While many or most temples are free to visit, some require an admission fee. We decided to pay for just entry to the garden because a lot of the temple was open air and we could see inside without going inside. I did my best to conduct the admission transaction only in Japanese so I could get used to hearing common words and phrases. I later realized that I said "Konnichiwa" (good day) when I really should have said "Ohayo gozaimasu" (good morning) which I'm sure was a dead giveaway that I'm a foreigner (not that I look AT ALL Japanese) but I learned my lesson and tried to use time-appropriate greetings the rest of the trip.

A quick note about admission fees: all the museums, gardens, parks, etc., that we visited had very cheap admission fees compared to American museums. This garden was only 400 yen per person (about $4) and something like this in the US would have cost waaaaay more! When I remember the entry fees for certain things I will post them in my TR.

Onto the garden!!!

When we got to this pond, my jaw literally dropped and I stopped breathing for a second because it was SO. BEAUTIFUL. The photos don't even do it justice. I felt like I was in a completely different world.

A bit of the temple:

As you can (maybe) see from the gif above, it was lightly raining while we were there. It was still early and there were hardly any other people there.

Up next: More temple and garden!!!

STUNNING.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I'm loving all the pictures, it looks so peaceful in the gardens.

 

[bee]

It'squite an experience, but not one I'd go out of my way to experience again, ha ha ha!

LOL!

STUNNING.

Thank you!

I'm loving all the pictures, it looks so peaceful in the gardens.

Thank you! It really was. For a few minutes we were able to just let go of the "real world" and enjoy the beauty of the water and plants and mountains.

 

[bee]

Day 6, cont.

Our next official destination was what S was calling a "cool bridge" but along the way we stopped and looked at whatever was around.

Up next: More!

 

[bee]

Day 6, cont.

CARS!

Up next: MORE!

 

[bee]

Day 6, cont.

Finally, I remembered to take a photo of an information sign so I would actually remember what we were seeing!

This was actually part of the site where the beautiful garden from before was. It was a huge site and we seem to have circled around it.

Up next: MOOOOOOORE

 

[bee]

Day 6, cont.

Up next: More photos!

 

[bee]

Day 6, cont.

Yet more vegetarian food that we didn't get to have because the timing didn't work out

We noticed a few of these bamboo barriers to protect trees. Trees helping trees.

Up next: Arashiyama Station and some treats!

 

[bee]

Day 6, cont.

It was getting close to a reasonable lunch time at this point so I started looking up restaurants. Since it was my birthday I was hoping everyone would be okay with a vegetarian place, and I found a place on the way to our next destination and everyone agreed. In the meantime we were right across the street from Arashiyama Station so we checked it out.

Next to the station was an ADORABLE bunny-themed bakery.

M and I shared this little chocolate bread:

It was soooo good! The bitterness of the chocolate was balanced nicely with a bit of sweetness. It was somehow both rich and light at the same time.

We walked past a few more shops before arriving at our next destination.

Up next: A COOL BRIDGE!

 

[dizfan917]

There is such beauty in the simplicity of the architecture and nature there. I need to be more aware of that beauty here in my everyday life... I look forward to every one of your posts! Thanks for sharing...

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day 6, cont.

Up next: MORE!

Again, so many great pictures. The stuff in that bunny bakery looked so cute and tasty. Just curious about this picture though. Any idea about the foot imprint on it? Any story or explanation given? It kind of looks like Yeti feet.

 

[bee]

There is such beauty in the simplicity of the architecture and nature there. I need to be more aware of that beauty here in my everyday life... I look forward to every one of your posts! Thanks for sharing...

Thanks for reading! I have definitely found myself taking (some) things a little bit slower and taking in my surroundings since we've been home. Like staring out the window at the gorgeous views of Manhattan on my commute instead of constantly looking at my phone.

Again, so many great pictures. The stuff in that bunny bakery looked so cute and tasty. Just curious about this picture though. Any idea about the foot imprint on it? Any story or explanation given? It kind of looks like Yeti feet.

I actually have no idea and didn't even notice that until you pointed it out! Now I want to know too!

 

[Swissmiss]

It may sound weird, but your pictures of the areas with just vegetation or vegetation and buildings were so relaxing to look at.

 

[MinnieM123]

I think we're all experiencing the same, tranquil mood from your lovely pictures of Kyoto. I think the past 5 minutes with your latest photos, have lowered my blood pressure about 20 points!

 

[fractal]

Lovely photos of the gardens and temples.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Everything looks so beautiful and tranquil in your pictures. Asia has never had any draw for me but I may be starting to second guess that.