After about an hour, we went to Yoshida Sanso for a
tea ceremony – smaller chairs and tables were provided. An elaborate
ceremony….
We wanted a coffee – there were vending machines besides the bus – Hot Coffee costs maybe $1.50 and is served in cans – delicious.
Then we walked across the street and up a hill to
Hokokuji Temple, also known as the Bamboo Garden. Very neat – you walk among the old bamboo
trees, there was caves in the mountain which hold tombs, lots of statues and a big
bell in the front.
Back on the bus, but right in town, we went to an
included vegetarian dinner at a very old restaurant. We did not want to take our shoes off, so sat
in the front room, with the bus driver, but the rest sat in the back. Small Plate presentation was excellent. We wanted to use their restroom, but had to
take our shoes off, so the hostess took us next door to another restaurant. The Womens had an eastern toilet – an urinal
laid down on the floor – watch that nothing falls from your pockets.
After lunch, again right in town, we went to see the
Big Buddha – people were burning incense and were very spiritual.
Back on the bus to Enoshima Island - a favorite
destination for the Japanese. You take
an escalator (you could walk) up a lot of stairs to see temples, but you have
to walk back down. The park is very
hilly with a steep street. There were lots of stores and restaurants – all the Japanese
schoolgirls were eating a thin fried sheet (as big as a pie plate) of
octopus.
Back on the bus for the return to Tokyo. We did not get back until 7 pm and were
dropped off at Tokyo Plaza. We went to a
restaurant there – the noodle house was lined up – so we had pancakes and iced
tea at Guy&Jo's ($25) and then took a cab
back to the hotel ($10). A very good
day…
