 |
 |
snowy track on the way back from the Ryokan where we stayed in snow monkey land (aka Jigokudani) |
The view out of the train window from Yudanaka to Nagano – I’d not seen very much snow before – one ski trip to NZ doesn’t really compare! |
 |
 |
Then I was in Tokyo! I didn’t find the Tokyo underground much worse than Sydney – even in peak hour it’s not worse than Wynyard – however it’s still packed late at night – these people are sleeping… |
The hotel in Tokyo – so plush! |
 |
 |
View out my window |
Palace gardens in Tokyo – I had a very strange little man as the guide… |
 |
 |
Beautiful plum blossom in the garden – contrasted with the grey stone wall |
close up blossoms |
 |
 |
the gardens take a lot of work! A man scooping leaves out of the water |
Me in front of a guardhouse in the palace garden |
 |
 |
This is at the Meji shrine – sake makers send barrels in – opposite are barrels of French wine! |
A Shinto wedding at the Meji Shrine |
 |
 |
The Bride and Groom |
Another bride getting ready… |
 |
 |
Temple gardens in Kyoto |
This is Nijo-jo – the castle in Kyoto with a “nightingale floor” – fabulous! |
 |
 |
me wandering around Kyoto – I swear it was even colder here than in the snow! There was quite a bit of half melted slush – and very cold rain… |
snow on part of the roof of the golden pagoda in Kyoto – it would be a lot more garish in sunshine |
 |
 |
Tea served in a temple in Kyoto – bitter green tea served with a sugar cake |
the view from the tea house – it was nice and warm in there! |
 |
 |
in the tea house |
outside a temple |
 |
 |
The famous zen rock garden at Ryoanji |
Lion on guard in Kyoto |
 |
|
Lunch at a temple – yummy yummy soba and a strange drink called Amazake which is made of fermented rice and sake… rather lumpy but tasty and served with ginger. |