Monday 30 April
We awoke to bright sunny day and a kimonoed breakfast - although Trevor was was less adventurous.
Amid much bowing we loaded the car and headed to our first stop - coffee. Or lady from the previous day was overjoyed to see us again especially as she had arranged for all the local Darby & Jones Club to be in attendance to wish us a bon voyage.
Onward and indeed upward we headed to the Kinosaki Ropeway. An incredibly smooth ascent to the summit where we paused for another cup of coffee prior to a trip to the viewpoint and a view over the Sea of Japan and a stop at a small temple dedicated to Tin Hau - the Goddess of the Sea.
We descended and proceed to drop off the car in Tokyo-oka. Stuart dropped us at the station before heading to return the car and the minute inspection for bumps, scratches and scrapes. In the end it was a painless process and he was back in trice.
Next up was the challenge of the JT ticket office - we allowed a lot of time just in case. As it turned out we were the only ones in the queue and got the tickets - with reserved seats included. This allowed us to eat the sandwich lunch in the corridor to the amusement of the other travellers.
On board we settled down to enjoy the scenery and arriving exactly on time in Kyoto. Unlike the last visa by Joy and Stuart we managed to navigate the station in minutes without mishap on the escalator! The shuttle bus was there and 10 minutes later we checkin to the Kyoto Tokyu hotel.
Refreshed we headed off to find food which proved to be a challenge as we were in a residential area. We avoided the concierge suggestion of the Royal Host which was opposite. Heading towards the station we spied a local watering which seemed to have an english menu. Downstairs we went to another new experience for Joy sitting on the floor kind of cross legged. The food was homemade and delicious.
We awoke to bright sunny day and a kimonoed breakfast - although Trevor was was less adventurous.
Amid much bowing we loaded the car and headed to our first stop - coffee. Or lady from the previous day was overjoyed to see us again especially as she had arranged for all the local Darby & Jones Club to be in attendance to wish us a bon voyage.
Onward and indeed upward we headed to the Kinosaki Ropeway. An incredibly smooth ascent to the summit where we paused for another cup of coffee prior to a trip to the viewpoint and a view over the Sea of Japan and a stop at a small temple dedicated to Tin Hau - the Goddess of the Sea.
We descended and proceed to drop off the car in Tokyo-oka. Stuart dropped us at the station before heading to return the car and the minute inspection for bumps, scratches and scrapes. In the end it was a painless process and he was back in trice.
Next up was the challenge of the JT ticket office - we allowed a lot of time just in case. As it turned out we were the only ones in the queue and got the tickets - with reserved seats included. This allowed us to eat the sandwich lunch in the corridor to the amusement of the other travellers.
On board we settled down to enjoy the scenery and arriving exactly on time in Kyoto. Unlike the last visa by Joy and Stuart we managed to navigate the station in minutes without mishap on the escalator! The shuttle bus was there and 10 minutes later we checkin to the Kyoto Tokyu hotel.
Refreshed we headed off to find food which proved to be a challenge as we were in a residential area. We avoided the concierge suggestion of the Royal Host which was opposite. Heading towards the station we spied a local watering which seemed to have an english menu. Downstairs we went to another new experience for Joy sitting on the floor kind of cross legged. The food was homemade and delicious.